Venice City Guide - World of Wanderlust
Transcription
Venice City Guide - World of Wanderlust
1 THE WOW Guide to Venice “Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go”. – Truman Capote CONTENTS: Introduction Before you go inspiration Practical information Neighbourhood guide A brief history Top 10 sights and attractions Top 5 free 5 photos you can’t leave without 5 things unique to Venice Where to stay Where to eat Nightlife Disclaimer p. 3 p. 3 p. 3 p. 4 p. 6 p. 7 p. 10 p. 12 p. 14 p. 15 p. 16 p. 19 p. 21 2 AN INTRODUCTION Is there any other place in the world quite like Venice? The answer is, unequivocally, no. There is no place in the world quite like Venice. With its’ art, music, food, and of course canals, Venice will transport you to another time. Although, you will have to be prepared to share it with huge crowds of tourists from around the globe who make their way here each year to visit the infamously dubbed “sinking city”. Before you go inspiration Song: Venezia, la luna e tu, by Luciano Tajoli Book: In Search of Venice, by Antal Szerb, Henry James, Petr Kral, Paul Monrad Film: The Tourist (2010) Practical information Venice is the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, and one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy. Population: 260,000+ Time Zone: UTC +1 Telephone area code: +39 41 Language: Italian, though English is widely spoken Currency: Euro (€) Climate: Winters are cold and wet, while summers are extremely hot. The best time of year to visit for both climate and to avoid the massive influx of tourists is during the shoulder season: from September to November. Do beware of acqua alta (high water), when the waterlines rise and flood the streets in the colder months. Get around: Walk! There really is no better way to see Venice. 3 NEIGHBOURHOODS Although all of Venice might seem to blend into one, there are in fact six districts, as has historically been the case since the 12th century. There are three districts on either side of the Grand Canal, each with a unique flair: [#1] San Marco The centre of Venice is home to both the Piazza San Marco and the Basilica di San Marco, making this a neighbourhood not to be missed. The Rialto Bridge is also located here, and, as a result, this is one of the most touristy and most expensive neighbourhoods in Venice. 4 Many of the finest hotels are located here, with a price tag to match the area. [#2] Cannaregio Cannaregio includes the train station, Jewish Ghetto, and runs very near to Rialto Bridge. At least one third of the population of Venice is said to live here, making it slightly more residential in parts, but still very near to the hoards of tourists that wander the narrow streets. [#3] Castello Another pricey area, Castello is home to many of the cities’ luxury hotels, and begins just east of Piazza San Marco. [#4] San Polo Heading northwest from Rialto Bridge, San Polo is one of Venice’ least visited neighbourhoods, thus making it a great option to escape the crowds. [#5] Santa Croce Santa Croce is a great neighbourhood to explore on foot to observe local life, and mingle with the younger crowd of students found in the area. [#6] Dorsoduro Dorsoduro is said to be Venice’ hippest area, filled with students, creativity, and some great hidden boutiques/art galleries. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection also resides here. 5 A BRIEF HISTORY Venice dates back to 827, when a Byzantine duke moved his seat here and prospered on the trade of the area for the following 970 years. In 1797 the city of Venice was conquered by Napoleon, and it is still said today that the city never quite recovered from such an invasion. After this, the city has changed back and forth, falling into the hands of Austria-Hungary and back to Italy. Nowadays Venice is still considered to be a testament to the Renaissance glory days. 6 TOP 10 THINGS TO DO Saint Mark’s Basilica There is no other attraction in the city of Venice quite as grand, striking and mesmerising as Saint Mark’s Basilica. This is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice, northern Italy. The church is a fantastic display of Italo-Byzantine architecture and is open from 9:45am – 5:00pm daily. (www.basilicasanmarco.it). Grand Canal The main water-traffic corridor is the Grand Canal, whereby many visitors hop on board a water bus or private water taxi to transport from one location to another. This is a great way to see the city from another perspective – on the water! Rialto Bridge Rialto Bridge is located on the Grand Canal and is the oldest bring across the canal, as well as one of the most picturesque. The bridge also serves as the dividing line for San Marco and San Polo districts. Doge’s Palace The Doge’s Palace displays another period of architecture in Venice – that of Venetian Gothic style. It is also one of the landmarks of the city and open for visitors 7 days a week. (www.palazzoducale.visitmuve.it). 7 Piazza San Marco Typically referred to as the heart of the city, Piazza San Marco, or commonly referred to simply as “The Piazza”, is the principal public square of Venice. Here you can enjoy typical renaissance architecture and endless people watching from one of the overpriced cafes on the square. Murano Located around 1.5 kilometres north of Venice, Murano is an intriguing neighbourhood known for its’ glass making and colourful houses. Dorsoduro Another Venetian neighbourhood, a visit to Dorsoduro will give a great insight into local Venetian life beyond the touristy centre itself. Gallerie dell’Accademia This museum is home to pre-19th century art and is considered one of the principal museums to visit in the city. Bridge of Sighs Built in 1600, the Bridge of Sighs is another one of Venice’ must see bridges, which connects the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove) to the interrogation rooms of the Doge’s Palace. 8 Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari This is one of the greatest churches of Venice and certainly one of the most impressive, particularly when viewed from the interior. 9 TOP 5 FREE THINGS TO DO Casino Venier Back in the 18th Century, at the time of Casanova, there were in excess of 100 casinos throughout Venice. These were establishments where the aristocracy met not only to gamble, but to socialise, dance, and indulge. One of the most well maintained and exquisite is open to visitors, as it is now the premises of the French cultural centre L’Alliance Francaise. Open Mon-Fri 9am-1pm and 3pm6pm. Scala Contarini del Bovolo Dubbed the “snail staircase”, this would have to be one of the best off the beaten path locations to visit whilst in Venice. Here you find yourself lost in a maze of narrow streets, almost convinced the place itself does not exist. From the foot of the Rialto bridge, follow the yellow signs for “Accademia” until you reach Campo Manin, where an easily missed small panel points you in the direction of Scala. After you zigzag your way through winding narrow streets, you will suddenly come out at a small courtyard where Scala resides. Orsoni Colour Library If you’re interested in artisan history, you’ll be interested to visit the Orsoni Colour Library – the only working glass furnace left in all of Venice. It is here where glass mosaics are produced, as well as being home to gold leaf that has been used in St Paul’s Cathedral, the Sacre Coeur in Paris, and the Basilica of San Marco here in Venice. Call in advance for a free tour of the workshop or visit orsoni.com for further information. 10 Santa Maria della Salute This is a favourite church of Catholic Venetians, which is more commonly known as Salute, and sits at the entrance to the Grand Canal. There is no fee to enter, and the church is open daily from 9am-12pm; and 3pm-5.30pm. I Gesuiti Venice, much like the rest of Italy has no shortage of churches to visit, however this grandiose baroque church is one of the most impressive from the inside, as it is also home to an important collection of paintings and sculptures. Open daily from 10am-12pm; and 4pm-6pm. 11 5 PHOTOS YOU CAN’T LEAVE WITHOUT There’s just no part about Venice that isn’t picturesque. But to truly capture the romance of a city that no other in the world could ever emulate, here are the five photos you cannot leave without: 12 St. Mark’s Square Although it is a hassle to shoot, St Mark’s Square is without a doubt one of the photographic hotspots of Venice. The lighting is often the biggest challenge, so the best time to shoot is during blue hour (after the sun has set and the sky is blue, before turning dark). Waterfront, Riva degli Schiavoni Nearby to the square you will find a plethora of canala filled with gondolas at any time of the day. You can shoot these during blue hour, golden hour, sunrise, sunset, literally any time of day! Rialto Bridge During the months of winter and spring, the Rialto bridge is best to shoot during sunset. At other times during the year blue hour is a great time to shoot; not just for the light but for the lack of people as the sun has set and crowds begin to make their way to nearby restaurants. Pescheria, Fish & Vegetable Market If you’re interested in capturing a taste of local life (both literally and figuratively), then head to the renowned Pescheria market from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 12 noon. If you want to avoid peak hours, visit in the first or last hours of opening time. San Giorgio Maggiore For the best shots, head here for sunrise or sunset. On the island itself you won’t have many photographic opportunities, however will get a great shot from San Marco Vallaresso. 13 5 THINGS UNIQUE TO VENICE Gondolas Taking a gondola ride in Venice is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but you will soon find out that it won’t come cheap. Gondola fares have an official standard rate, but these can be higher. Standard gondola rides are 40 minutes in length, so if you negotiate lower you can expect a shorter ride. Canals The canals in Venice are truly what makes this city the icon that it is and the best way to explore the city and its’ waterways is on foot. 14 Venetian Glass Venetian glass is a quality souvenir to keep, reminding yourself of your time in Venice. You will find the best quality glass on the island of Murano, which is certainly worth a visit throughout your time here. Venetian Masks Venetian masks are a staple of the Carnival of Venice, however are commonly bought as souvenirs by visitors to the city year-round. Carnival of Venice This masked carnival is one of the biggest calendar events in Venice and takes place forty days before Easter on shrove Tuesday, also known as the day before Ash Wednesday. WHERE TO STAY BUDGET: Antico Fiore From €65 per night Venice isn’t an easy city to get by on a budget, however to some extent it can be done. Antico Fiore is one of many great guesthouses on offer in Venice, offering reasonable rates to those on a budget. This particular guesthouse is inside a restored 18th Century building and is located close by to the vaporetto. (www.anticofiore.com). 15 MEDIUM: Hotel All’Angelo Venice From €150 per night This incredibly comfortable hotel is reasonably priced for a great hotel in a great location. The same family have been running this hotel since 1924 and like all rooms in Venice, it has quite a lot of character by way of ageing signs. (www.allangelo.it). SPLURGE: Hotel Danieli From €400 per night Hotel Danieli is just steps away from Piazza San Marco and is renowned the world over for being one of the premier luxury properties in Venice. (www.danielihotelvenice.com). WHERE TO EAT Budget: 1. Dal Moro’s Fresh Pasta To Go Starting at around €5, this small establishment sells fantastic homemade pasta to go. Location: Calle De La Casseleria 5324 2. Pizza al volo For a big ‘ol slice of pizza for under €2 a slice, head to this hidden gem. Location: Dorsoduro, 30123 3. Pizzeria ae Oche This pizzeria is located at several locations throughout the city and offers a fairly dependable slab of pizza. Location: Varies throughout city 16 A Romantic Evening: 1. Antico Martini As a favourite among the stars (the Hollywood type, not those in the sky), Antico Martini is one of the most renowned high end restaurants in the business. Location: Campiello della Fenice, S. Marco 2007 2. Osteria Boccadoro If you and your date are into your seafood and pasta, then look no further. Here you will be spoiled to handmade pasta and fresh seafood, all in a glorious garden setting. Location: Cannareggio 5405/a, Campo Widmann, 30131 3. Antiche Carampane As a favourite among a long list of VIP guests, this is one of the cities’ most sought after restaurants. Location: San Polo, 1911, 30125 Pastries: 1. Pasticceria Tonolo Although Paris might have the world covered on pastries, this 120 year old Venetian Patisserie might just come close! Location: Calle S. Pantalon, 3764 2. Bar Pasticceria Gilda Vio If you’re looking for a fantastic homemade tiramisu, look no further. Location: Rio Marin 784, Santa Croce 3. Bar Pasticceria Rosa Salva Another classic patisserie shop specialising in sweets. Location: Sestiere di San Marco, 950, 30124 17 NIGHTLIFE With such a low local population and so many tourists passing through the city year-round, there isn’t a great deal of traditional bars and nightclubs on offer. However there are a few worth mentioning: Caffe Florian Best For: Venetian Coffee Culture If you’re looking to extend your evening with a hit of coffee, head to this typical Venetian coffee house. Location: San Marco 56, Piazza San Marco 18 Skyline Rooftop Bar Best For: Views As the name suggests, this is the bar to go to for unrivalled views of Venice. Location: Giudecca 810, Fondamenta San Biagio Il Santo Bevitore Best For: Beer Enthusiasts While at first it might seem that Venetians only drink wine, spritz and grappa, luckily there are still many establishments where one can enjoy craft beer – you just have to know where to go. Il Santo Bevitore in Campo Santa Fosca is a great place to start. Location: Cannaregio 2393a, Campo Santa Fosca 19 All you need is... W WORLD OF WANDERLUST GUIDES WWW.WORLDOFWANDERLUST.COM/GUIDES 20 PRODUCT DISCLAIMER: The content of this book is written by World of Wanderlust. The information is designed to give prospective travellers a customised experience in each new city a WOW guide is produced for. While the information is correct at the time of publishing, given the fast-paced changing nature of travel and tourism, guides will be re-issued for a new release annually. World of Wanderlust does not receive compensation for any products or companies mentioned in this guide in an effort to maintain authenticity and ensure an unbiased representation of the best on offer in each city. For more information, please consult our legal disclaimer. The information and materials used in this guide are produced exclusively by World of Wanderlust. Accordingly the information and material in this guide are copyright, 2014 © World of Wanderlust. No part of this guide may in any form by an electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any other means be reproduced, sold or transmitted without the prior permission of the publisher, World of Wanderlust. SEE MORE WOW GUIDES: http://www.worldofwanderlust.com/guides 21
Similar documents
Warrington Colescott - Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
which resemble a street-layout on a map, although no such lay-out can exist in Venice, where the streets are almost never straight and run like a labyrinth, periodically interrupted by canals.The p...
More information